Improved life-peeservfflg matteess



tait@ tsta @anni @fitta IMPROVED 'LIFE-PRESERVING MATTRESS.

"cth tigetule retract tu in tlgest tttters itttcut mrt limiting satt at the tame.

TO ALLWHOM I'l MAY CONCERN:

Be it known that L'JOHN Gomme, of the city, county, and State of New York','have invented a .new and improved Life-Prserver; and I do hereby declare that the following is a full, clear, and exact description thereof, which will enable others skilled in the art to make and use the same, reference being had to the accompanying drawings forming a part of this specilication, in Which- Figure 1 represents a plan orl top view of my improved lifo-preserver, and

Figure 2 a vertical cross-section of the same. i

Similar letters of' reference indicate corresponding parts.

This invention rela-tes to a device by which mattresses can be connected to form oats for the purpose of saving the lives of shipwrecked passengers. i

The invention consists in the application and attachment to the ends and sides of mattresses ot' snap-hooks and eyes, or loops, whereby a number of mattresses can be instantaneously connected into one floating structure,

l upon which a number of persons can find temporary support, with a sutlicient quantity of provisions and other necessaries. The mattresses may be lled with cork, shavings, or other suitable material, by which they may be kept aioat. i.

` A represents a mattress of usual shape and construction, and the fillings of ivhieh -are hel/d infinity/suitable covering. To one side and one end of each'mattress is secured a suitable; number of snpilioolrs, a a, and a. corresponding number` of metal or other loops or eyes, b b, is secured in any suitable manner to the opposite side and end of each mattress. In case of shipwreck a number of such mattresses can be taken out of the berths and thrown into the Water, and can there, or while still on board of the ship, be instantly connectedand united by securing the snap .on one mattress to the loops on another mattress, whereby a float of suitable dimensions can be provided and arranged in the manner indicated in tig. l. In place ot' the snap-books and eyes, springbolts or other equivalent devices, with corresponding perforated platos forreceiving the ends of the bolts, can be provided.

I do not claim connecting mattresses for the purpose of making lioats, or providing mattresses with devices for allowing such a connection, as I am aware that loops are already secured to mattresses to allow the uniting of the same by means of ropes or strings. But by such a. device the mattresses cannot be connected with sutileient quickness and facility.

i Having. thus described my invention, what claim as new, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is

The life-raft constructed as described, consisting of the cork mattresses on floats secured together by means of the spring-hooks a and staples bLas herein set forth for the purpose specified.

JOHN GOLDING.

Witnesses:

WM. F.' McNAMARA, ALEX. F. ROBERTS, 

